Chromebook

The small 11.6-inch Chromebook will have integrated LTE capabilities catered specifically for use on Sprint's 4G network. Instead of giving it away for free as an incentive for new customers, however, the carrier will charge upfront for the device on top of the $15 per month wireless plan required to use it.

Google’s first Chrome OS tablet is now up for pre-order following its unveiling early last month. The new Pixel Slate follows is the company’s latest attempt to crack the tablet computing market dominated by Apple’s iPad.

With prices starting at just US$229, the Asus Chromebook C223 and C423 both use the Intel Celeron N3350 processor and feature USB Type-C connectivity, dual-band WiFi, a microSD slot, 4 GB of memory, and 32 GB eMMC internal storage. The 11.6-inch C223 is one of the thinnest Chromebooks on the market, but lacks a touchscreen option.

The new Asus Chromebook C523 comes with a full HD display with a touchscreen option, Intel Celeron N3350 or Intel Pentium N4200, and 4 GB or 8 GB of memory. This portable has no price and release date yet, but it should hit the market soon for around US$400 (considering the prices of similar models by Acer that have been around for a while).

Samsung has issued a press release to detail the introduction of the Chromebook Plus V2 (LTE). This new variant of the Chromebook Plus V2 features an additional special feature that is aimed at appeasing users of the device who are frequently on the move: LTE. Samsung is using the slogan “Always Connected” to promote the device.

Unveiled at IFA 2018, the 15.6-inch Lenovo Yoga Chromebook convertible is now finally available for purchase. Sadly, there is a single configuration available for now, which carries a price tag that reads US$699 and features an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of memory, and 128 GB of internal storage space.

HP will be integrating some features mainstream consumers have been enjoying these past few years onto its upcoming Chromebook. Namely, the new Chromebook x360 14 will be getting USB Type-C charging and narrow 7.5 mm bezels for improved convenience and portability. Expect a launch in just a couple of weeks for a starting price of $599 USD.

Some new images of the Google Pixel Slate tablet have appeared online, just ahead of the company’s hardware event that is taking place in New York City on October 9. The new device is expected to utilize Chrome OS and features a detachable keyboard and a stylus. The Slate will offer fresh competition for Apple’s iPads and Microsoft’s Surfaces.

The latest version of Google's Chrome browser will now automatically log users in if they log into any Google service. This, in turn, opens the door for the user's browsing data to be accessed by Google. While this isn't the case now (Chrome's sync features aren't turned on by default), it raises several red flags as to the future of the privacy of user's browsing data.

The latest leaked renders of the next gen Pixelbook tablet reveal a 2-in-1 design with a detachable keyboard. The tablet itself appears to feature at least one USB-C connector, thin speakers on each side of the display, a fingerprint sensor and acoustic cancellation microphone array around the edges.

Google has released the latest version of Chrome OS, and it includes support for Linux applications for the first time. Also baked in is Google’s Material Design 2.0 theme, which brings Chrome OS a little more in line with the look and feel of Android.

Google's next-generation Pixelbook 2 has leaked out ahead of launch by the company itself as part of a Facebook advertisement. Also present in the ad is what looks to be the notch-less smaller Google Pixel 3 leaving little to be revealed during Google's official October 9 launch event.

Lenovo is carving itself a niche in the Chromebooks space by offering a large convertible in contrast to the sea of smaller and cheaper alternatives. The extra girth has allowed for higher-end specifications and a potentially smoother experience when multitasking and running Android applications on Chrome OS. Still no built-in stylus, unfortunately.

The new Acer Chromebook 514 combines a metallic chassis, backlit keyboard, USB Type-C connectivity, a Corning Gorilla Glass touchpad, and promises to deliver a 12-hour battery life. Sadly, the hardware details have not been unveiled yet, but we know that the North American market will get this premium Chromebook in October, starting at only US$349.99.

The systems will carry new ULV Whiskey Lake and Kaby Lake options including the Core i3-8145U, i5-8265U, i7-8565U, and i3-8130U. The Windows version will have discrete GeForce MX130 options while the Chromebook version will integrate a passive stylus.

Since the Windows on ARM initiative did not impress too much with this year's Snapdragon-powered laptops, ARM is willing to take matters into its own hands and release CPUs specifically designed for ultrabooks and compact laptops. Based on the Deimos 7 nm architecture an Hercules 7-5 nm architecture, ARM's upcoming laptop chips are set to rival Intel's and AMD's ULV offers.

Earlier this year code commits showed up in ChromeOS that showed Google was adding support for 'AltOS.' New commits now show that the alternative operating system is likely to be Windows 10, but feasibility for the average Chromebook is questionable.

Acer is announcing discount offers for its Nitro 5, Chromebook 15, and Chromebook R11 for the Back to School season. The limited period offer gives up to US$50 discount on select models of the Nitro 5 and first-gen Chromebook 15, and Chromebook R 11. Acer is also offering US$100 discount on the second gen Chromebook 15.

Acer now offers premium builds for the Chromebook lineup. The latest Chromebook 13 and Spin 13 come with all-aluminum chassis and 13.5-inch IPS displays supporting 2256 x 1504 resolutions. Spec-wise, these notebooks come powered by Intel's gen 8 Core i3 and i5 CPUs coupled to up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB storage.

Google seems to take on Windows and macOS head on with its latest Chromebook ad. The ad shows how Chromebook users don't have to deal with any of the errors and update nags that plague traditional PC users. While Chromebooks are indeed easy to use and stable, most of the issues shown in the ad are largely passe.

Samsung is bundling both a $200 11.6-inch Chromebook 3 and a $200 256 GB EVO MicroSD card with every new purchase of an unlocked Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus for a limited time.

The latest Bluetooth vulnerability may affect many more devices than last year's BlueBorne, because it can affect smartphones as well as laptops that integrate Apple, Google, Intel, Broadcom or Qualcomm hardware. Due to insufficient encryption validation during the pairing process. Microsoft claims that Windows 10 is not affected, but all the other companies are releasing fixes as soon as possible.

Although the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 — one of the few Chrome OS-driven tablets unveiled so far — arrived back in March, it took a while for it to finally become widely available. Now, those interested can acquire this 9.7-inch slate with a Rockchip RK3399 processor inside for a starting price of US$330.

Google is expected to unveil quite a few new pieces of hardware in October: the Pixel 3 and 3 XL handsets, the second-generation Pixel Buds, a Pixel-branded smartwatch, and now an updated PixelBook with narrow bezels is joining the list as well. Sadly, nothing is official yet.

The aging Asus Chromebook Flip C302 could soon have a proper successor if the "Rammus" code name is any indication. With IFA 2018 not far off, the Taiwanese manufacturer could be preparing an announcement for its overdue Chromebook refresh. Early rumors point to a mainstream or high-end offering with a backlit keyboard and Kaby Lake U-class or Y-class processor options.

Google looks to be positioning its Fuchsia OS as a replacement for Android and Chrome OS on its Pixel hardware. Although the roadmap for the operating system has not been formally signed off, Google has over 100 software engineers working on the project.

Although the Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y processor was expected to remain a Microsoft Surface Go-exclusive, it looks like the HP Chromebook x2 convertible will soon get a version with it inside as well. Even more, a variant with an Intel Core i5-7Y54 inside is also on its way. Both have been spotted in a leaked technical document.

Promised features like eSIM and Always Connected PCs could debut on the Snapdragon 845-powered 'Cheza' Chromebook. More unverified code in Chromium have shed some light on the unannounced model including the potential for a 1440p or 2160p display and an integrated X20 modem. A Snapdragon Chromebook would compete directly with Microsoft's plans to launch Windows on ARM.

Samsung has updated its Chromebook Plus to Version 2.0. While it picks up some new features, its display gets a notable downgrade from a QHD resolution to FHD.

There is mounting evidence that Google is working on allowing its Pixelbooks to natively support Windows 10. What's more, it seems that Google could also be chasing official certification from Microsoft meaning that the Pixelbook could even ship with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Google silently removed the Tablets heading on the Android website, indicating that the tech behemoth may no longer push development for tablet features. This could be another sign that Google is planning on merging ChromeOS and Android, eliminating the need for tablets altogether.

The convertible Acer Chromebook Spin 15 promises to deliver a 13-hour battery life and features two upward-facing speakers, as well as full support for Android apps via Google Play. It is expected to reach the North American market in July for a starting price of US$449, while the EMEA region should get it in June.

Chromebooks could soon get a substantial performance boost, as the Chrome OS developers are planning to support Intel's Kaby Lake-G CPUs that come with the dedicated AMD Radeon RX Vega M GPU. The first Chromebook that would include such specs is codenamed "Kidd" and it was discovered mentioned in the Chromium code commit repository.

HP's premium Chromebook X2 is up for pre-order at Best Buy. The x2, which is expected to ship June 7, is one of the first true 2-in-1 Chromebooks on the market that offers a detachable display allowing it to be used as a standalone tablet.

Chromebooks may become the best Android development tools later this year. Google is planning to roll out native Linux support to the Chrome OS-powered machines later this year, allowing coders to build software for Chrome OS and Android natively on Chromebooks.

There has been a report suggesting that Dell and HP could be working on new high-end Chromebooks. Currently, there are scant options when it comes to choosing a premium Chromebook for use in the enterprise sector; the Google Pixelbook Chromebook and HP Chromebook 13 G1 are two options. It is claimed the new devices would utilize up to 16 GB RAM and operate with Kaby Lake processors.

Google has updated its Chrome OS to version 66, bringing with it numerous bug and security fixes. Chief among the security updates is a patch for Meltdown for Intel-based Chrome OS devices closing off the vulnerability across all Chrome OS devices.

Google has not had much to say about the Fuchsia OS, its new operating system currently under development, but little hints have popped up here and there — the latest clue is apparent support for Android Runtime. If Fuchsia OS gains Android app support, it could signal the unification of its Pixel hardware efforts under a single "Pixel OS" operating system.

The developer channel for Google's Chrome browser ("Canary") is sport a new coat of paint as well as some useful features. While all of these changes may not make their way to the Stable channel, the new design language echoes what we've already seen in early builds of Android P and the leaked Gmail design refresh.

The Samsung Pro now comes with its most requested feature -- a backlit keyboard. In all other respects the device remains the same, but its newest feature makes it a viable alternative for users who normally buy higher end Windows or Apple notebooks.

Acer has updated its Chromebox line with new 8th Gen Intel Core-series processors up to i7 variants. The new Chromebox CXI3 lineup also feature additional upgrades including USB Type-C ports and M2 SSDs.

HP has unveiled its latest Chromebook offering with the Chromebook x2. It is the first Chromebook to be offered in a detachable form factor and is powered by the Intel 7th generation Core m3 processor that can be paired with up to 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM. HP compares the Chromebook x2 to the iPad Pro and shows how the former is a better value for money in most aspects.

The Chrome Web Store has updated its policy concerning extensions with crypto-mining scripts, outright banning such extensions from the store. Any existing extensions that can be used for mining cryptocurrencies will be removed by the end of June 2018. While the policy will prevent future extensions that are obviously used for crypto-mining, it remains to be seen if this will solve the problem of surreptitious mining scripts hidden in otherwise innocuous extensions.

Acer has unveiled a Chrome-based tablet aimed at the education sector. This is the first tablet to be released using Chrome as its operating system, and Acer has given it the name Chromebook Tab 10. The 9.7-inch device includes a Wacom EMR Stylus and should be available in North America from April onwards. The reported price for the tablet is US$329.

The three new CTL NL7 Chromebooks feature a rugged design and use Intel Apollo Lake processors up to the quad-core Intel Celeron N3450. The cheapest model starts at US$229, while the Wacom pen-enabled one has a price tag that reads US$329. All of them will hit the education market next month.

Google could be set to make its Chrome OS a much more potent threat to Microsoft if a new commit in the Chromium source is any guide. A developer project known as Crostini shows signs of Google officially introducing support for Linux virtual machines on Chrome OS.

Spec-wise, the 100e, 300e and 500e Chromebooks are powered by Intel Celeron or MediaTek SoCs and can support 4-8 GB of RAM, with 32-64 GB of internal storage. Additionally, the 300e and 500e come with a 2-in1 design. The three models feature rugged cases and affordable price tags.